A THEATRE company for people with learning disabilities is desperately appealing for the return of their props and costumes which were stolen this morning and needed for a show tonight.

The Living Book Theatre Company is set to perform A Christmas Carol at The Courtyard in Hereford tonight for one night only.

But the director has been left in tears after the three boxes of props and costumes were taken from outside the back of The Courtyard at around 11.15am.

The boxes had been left outside for less than five minutes after they had been unloaded, when the theft took place.

Marketing officer for The Courtyard, Joanna Lucas said: “They are three boxes of costumes and props with no value. We just want them back for the show.

“It is really upsetting and disappointing for the actors who have worked so hard on the show.”

There are 20 actors with learning disabilities and four support staff in the production.

She said they can try and do the show without any props and in plain clothes.

She added: “We just don’t understand why. There is no value. The director said it probably looked like a pile of junk.”

They saw a silver van driving away from the theatre in the direction of Hereford.

The theft has been reported to the police. If you have any information regarding the theft call police on 101 with the incident number 217 of today’s date.